Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said Bangladesh endeavoured to advance D-8 cooperation under quite challenging circumstances since assumption of D-8 Chairmanship in April 2021.
"We first battled the limitations and constraints in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; and then the poly crisis that afflicted many of our countries, in so many ways," he said in his opening speech at D-8 summit held at Egypt capital of Cairo, according to a message received in Dhaka.
As the outgoing Chairmanship of Bangladesh, Prof Yunus welcomed the leaders of the member states at the 11th D-8 Summit.
He expressed his warmest felicitation to the Incoming Chair and the Host, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt, indeed for making the meticulous arrangements and gracious hospitality in the historic city of Cairo.
"I must complement the Government of Egypt for its unwavering commitment to the principles of the organisation in advancing our shared vision, for progress and cooperation," the Chief Adviser said.
During the Bangladesh' chairmanship of D-8, he said, establishment of the D-8 Youth Council, and ratification of D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement, during this time were particularly noteworthy.
Prof Yunus said this could not be accomplished without the member states' unwavering support, and understanding, of their collective interest.
He said Bangladesh is thankful to all the D-8 governments for the support extended throughout Bangladesh's Chairmanship, and the level of commitment shown in advancing our collective interests.
"While we officially hand over the Chairmanship to Egypt, I complement President El-Sisi for the theme of this Summit, "Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs". It resonates aptly with our aspirations in D-8," he said.
The Chief Adviser said in times of changing world of work, the D-8 countries need to re-discover and re-position learning, regarding youth and work in the economy of tomorrow.
"Things often evolve too fast and gets difficult for governments to comprehend, and implement. But we must keep on recalibrating our efforts, to match the difficulties," he said.
Prof Yunus said, "As Bangladesh passes the baton to Egypt, let me affirm Bangladesh's unwavering support to the Egyptian Chairmanship in furtherance of our cooperative agenda."
He said Team Egypt, under wise leadership of President El-Sisi, can count on Bangladesh.
"May D-8 flourish, under Egypt's leadership, and help our countries accomplish greater freedom, stability, harmony and prosperity in an unpredictable world," Prof Yunus added.
Source: BSS